Fence-post



PATENTED JAN. 26, 1904.

S. O. CAMPBELL.

FENCE POST.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 20, 1903.

K0 MODEL.

m W a 3 I flktomnoM Patented January 26, 1904.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SOLON O. CAMPBELL, OF EAST PERU, IOlVA, ASSIG'NOR OF ONEJIALF TO E. C. TILLEY, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

FENCE-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 750,256, dated January 26, 1904. Application filed. July 20, 1903. Serial No. 166,390. No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, SoLoN O. CAMPBELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at East Peru, in the county of Madison and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fence-Posts, of which the following is a specification.

This invention provides a practically indestructible fence-post which in its construction embodies means for arresting lightning and grounding the same, thereby obviating the menace to stock from this source and complying with the requirements of insurance concerns in this particular.

The invention consists of a post constructed of cement, concrete, or like self-setting plastic material, a metallic stay embedded in the post to act as a binder and a lightning-conductor and to maintain the post in serviceable condition in the event of breakage until repairs may be made, and hooks or attaching means let into the side of the post for securing the fence thereto.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means j for effecting the result reference is to be had.

to the following description and drawings 1 hereto attached.

W hile the essential and characteristic features of the invention are susceptible of modilication, still the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a post embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical central section thereof. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the metallic stay. tail perspective view of the upper end portion 4 of the stay onalarger scale. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 of the lower end portion of the stay. v

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

While the post is constructed with especial reference to its use in connection with fenc- Fig. 4 is a d eing, it is to be understood that it is capable of general utility where a support or upright may be required. The post tapers toward opposite ends from an intermediate point, the lower portion being considerably shorter than the upper portion, so as to be embedded in the ground when the post is set up. In its outline the post is of winged formation, the number of wings depending upon the crosssectional area of the post. Usually four wings are sufficient and are disposed so as to have a cruciform arrangement in cross-section. The post is constructed of concrete, cement, or any self setting and hardening plastic material which may bemolded into shape and will resist the elements and be of suitable strength to sustain the wear and strain to which the post will be subjected in ordinary use.

The metallic stay embedded in the post is shown most clearly in Fig. 3 and comprises a plurality of stout wires or rods 1, grouped about a central line, one rod or wire being provided for each wing of the post. Each of the rods or wires is deflected in its length to conform to the opposite taper of the end portions of the post, thereby affording the best results in the way of bracing the article. The metallic stay, as shown most clearly in Fig. 3, is of skeleton formation, and ends 2 and 3 project from its extremities and pass beyond the terminals of the completed post. The lower metal end 3 acts as a ground connection, and the upper metal end 2 is adapted to receive the upper wire of the metal fencing, so as to arrest a belt of lightning and ground the same through the post in a manner well understood. The metal ends 2 and 3 serve to connect the elements comprising the stay and are twisted about the same at the points of crossing, as indicated most clearly in Figs. 4 and 5.

A series of hooks a or analogous fastening means are let into a side of the post at different points and serve to secure the fence thereto. The fastenings a consist of short lengths of wire having their inner ends bent to secure lirm anchorage in the post and having their outer ends bent to provide hooks for engagement with the fence-wires. The attaching means 4: are set into the post before the same is thoroughly dry and hardened.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. A post of plastic material, and a metal stay embedded therein and comprising loopshaped elements crossing at their ends, and means embracing and connecting the loops at their point of crossing and extended beyond the extremities of the post, substantially as set forth.

2. A post of plastic material, comprising a plurality of wings each tapering in opposite directions toward the ends of the post, a stay SOLON O. CAMPBELL.

Witnesses:

ALBERT B. VINES, CHAS. TILP.

[L. ll 

